Phase transitions in the starch-water system studied by adiabatic scanning calorimetry

We report high-precision measurements of phase transitions in the starch-water system by using for the first time adiabatic scanning calorimetry (ASC). Potato starch and nixtamalized corn flours were studied by this technique as a function of the moisture content. We calculated the percentage of gelatinized starch granules, as a function of the temperature, for both flours. For bi-phasic behavior in potato starch, at intermediate water contents, we propose an explanation based on previous hypotheses and on the experimental behavior as deduced from ASC measurements. ASC results suggest, in the case of nixtamalized corn flour, that uniform moisture is present in corn starch granules for all the considered moistures. A shift to higher temperatures of the peak temperature is observed when comparing the c(p)(T) curves with the classical DSC endotherms as measured for this flour. For both flours we estimated from the ASC results the melting temperatures of the starch granules, at zero moisture content, by using Flory's equation.     

Isolation of a Protein Bound to Canker-forming Factor from Citrus Plant

Interaction analysis using affinity analysis (Affinity Sensors, Cambridge, UK) indicated the presence of proteins bound to Apl1, a virulence factor of Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri required for the formation of canker symptom on citrus, in the fraction 25–50% ammonium sulfate of citrus crude extracts. Three proteins of 25, 50 and 110-kD were eluted from an Apl1-affinity column. Western analysis revealed that Apl1 binds specifically to the 25-kD and 110-kD but not to the 50-kD protein. When crude extracts of soybean and of tobacco were applied to the Apl1-affinity column, only faint bands were detected. This result suggests that Apl1 targets exist specifically in citrus plants. The amino acid sequence of the N-terminal of the 25-kD protein was determined, and homology search analysis revealed that this sequence was almost identical to those commonly present in S-adenosyl-l-methionine : trans-caffeoyl-coenzyme A 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAMT) from several plants. This enzyme is specific to the substrate trans -caffeoyl-CoA and catalyzes the synthesis of trans-feruloyl-CoA for lignin formation. Received 4 November 1999/ Accepted in revised form 26 November 1999     

Effects of different artificial photoperiods and temperatures on haematological parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study assessed the effects of two artificial photoperiods (LD 24:0 and LD 12:12) and three temperature regimes (9, 11, and 18°C) for 30 days on haematological parameters of trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) kept in freshwater. Samples were taken at days 7, 14, and 30 during exposure to treatments. A higher mortality (22%) and lower oxygen concentration (<8.0 mg/l) were associated with the combination of photoperiod LD 24:0 and 18°C. The LD 24:0 photoperiod (independently of temperature) increased the haematocrit and the number of erythrocytes at days 7, 14, and 30 (P < 0.01). A temperature of 18°C (independently of photoperiod regimes) diminished the number of total leucocytes, lymphocytes and thrombocytes (P < 0.01). The LD 24:0 photoperiod (also independently of temperature) lowered the number of lymphocytes only after 14 days of experimentation (P < 0.01). Interaction between artificial photoperiod and temperature was only observed at day 14 for polychromatophils (P < 0.01). These results resemble the effects of stress caused by elevated temperatures and the application of continuous light photoperiods, indicating that survival risks may develop in trout farming when this combination is met.     

Reproductive cycle of the rock oyster,Striostrea prismatica (Gray, 1825) from two locations on the southern coast of Ecuador

The reproductive cycle of the rock oyster Striostrea prismatica was determined at two fishing areas, General Villamil and Ayangue (located on the southern coast of Ecuador), between May 2012 and April 2013. Monthly sampling campaigns were performed at both locations. The tissues were histologically examined to determine gonadal index (GI), oocyte development, follicular area coverage and sex ratio. Surface seawater temperature, salinity and chlorophyll a concentration were measured during samplings. Our results show a similar annual reproductive pattern at both locations. The GI reached maximum values during the summer. Oysters reached highest ripeness in January and February, while spawning occurred in February–March. Gametogenesis was linked to a consistently increasing follicular area (from 1.3 ± 0.7% to 85.8 ± 7.8%) and associated to surface seawater temperature. Spawning coincided with warm water temperature fluctuations and a seawater salinity decrease. No correlation was found with Chlorophyll a concentration. The sex ratio of sampled populations was 1:1, suggesting that oysters sizing more than 10 cm in shell length present a stable sex proportion in the population. The diameter of mature oocytes was significantly reduced (32.7%) during histologically preparations in comparison to fresh oocytes. Our study provides useful information of environmental factors that may control the observed gametogenesis and spawning activity of S. prismatica.     

Effect of partial and total replacement of fish, shrimp head, and soybean meals with red crab meal Pleuroncodes planipes (Stimpson) on growth of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone)

Red crab meal (RCM), as a potential protein source in diets for juvenile shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, was evaluated over a 45‐day growth trial under laboratory conditions. Eight experimental diets were tested. The basal diet contained fish (tuna by‐product), shrimp head and soybean (solvent extracted) meals as primary protein sources. Fish or soybean meals were substituted, on an equal‐protein basis, at 33%, 66% and 100% by RCM, whereas shrimp head meal (SHM) was substituted at 100%. A commercial diet was included as a reference. Final weight ranged between 2.23 and 3.36 g and growth rates (GRs) between 0.048 and 0.073 g day⁻¹. Where 66% or 100% of the protein from fish or soybean meals was substituted by RCM, the diets produced significantly higher final weights and GRs than other diets. Regression analysis showed that final weight of shrimp depended significantly on the percentage of substitution, and that the maximum weight gain would be obtained when substituting RCM for 80.2% of fish meal and 81.2% of soybean meal. Feed conversion ratio was below 1.8 for all treatments and there was no apparent relationship with other aspects of the diet. Red crab meal served as a suitable protein source for partial or total replacement of tuna by‐product, soybean and SHMs for cultivated juvenile shrimp L. vannamei.     

Kaolin and seaweed-based extracts can be used as middle and long-term strategy to mitigate negative effects of climate change in physiological performance of hazelnut tree

Spraying plants with exogenous substances have gained more attention due to its potential to reduce the negative impacts of heat and water stress in a climate-changing environment. Therefore, the effects of spraying kaolin and Ascophyllum nodosum with and without irrigation on leaf gas exchange parameters, plant water status, electrolyte leakage, cuticular waxes, plant hormones and antioxidant enzymes, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and lipid peroxidation of membranes of hazelnut trees were studied. Six different treatments with kaolin (K), A. nodosum (An), irrigation (I), kaolin with irrigation (Ki), A. nodosum with irrigation (Ani) and no irrigation (control) during two consecutive years (2016–2017) were applied in a hazelnut orchard of ‘Grada de Viseu’ cultivar located in Moimenta da Beira region, Northern Portugal. Results showed that K and An were effective for reducing hazelnut heat and drought stress by increasing the water relative content (RWC), net CO₂ assimilation (A), water use efficiency (A/g_s) and reducing the leaf mass per area (LMA), electrolyte leakage (EL). Moreover, concentration of ABA, MDA, proline and lipid peroxidation of membranes, as well the average content of antioxidant enzymes, was lower, suggesting that under K and An, plants have a better physiological performance than without these two exogenous substances. Nonetheless, these benefits only appear to be significant in the second year of the experiment showing that the use of both substances to mitigate climate change adverse effects should be considered as a long-term strategy.     

Survival of soil-borne fungus Phymatotrichopsis omnivora after exposure to volatile fatty acids

Control of plant-pathogenic Phymatotrichopsis omnivora is difficult. In tests of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), mycelia in empty 9-cm Petri dishes with 3 or 6 μL of acetic, butyric, formic or propionic acid did not grow, but 37–67 % grew on potato dextrose agar with 6 μL VFA. Survival of sclerotia was <20 % on water agar with 154 μg/mL of a VFA or 12–40 % in sandy soil with 616 μg/mL. Survivability after 2-h immersion in 17 mmol/L varied greatly (0–100 %) depending on the VFA, but in 33–50 mmol/L, 0 % survived. This fungus was thus susceptible to VFAs.     

Effect of processing and storage time on the contents of organosulfur compounds in pickled blanched garlic

The influence of processing, with and without fermentation, on the contents of organosulfur compounds, namely, γ-glutamyl peptides, S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxides (ACSOs), and S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), in pickled blanched garlic was evaluated. For each processing type, the effect of the preservation method and storage time was also analyzed. Blanching in hot water (90 °C for 5 min) hardly affected the individual organosulfur compound content. The fermentation and packing steps negatively affected the levels of all compounds except for SAC. The content of this compound increased during storage at room temperature whereas γ-glutamyl peptides and ACSOs were degraded to various extents. The pasteurization treatment itself had no significant effect on the concentrations of organosulfur compounds. Use of the corresponding fermentation brine in the case of the fermented product in conjunction with refrigerated storage was found to be the best method to preserve the levels of organosulfur compounds in pickled garlic stored for up to one year.     

Fe–Ni Nanostructures and C/Fe–Ni Composites as Adsorbents for the Removal of a Textile Dye from Aqueous Solution

Novel adsorption materials—Fe–Ni nanostructures and C/Fe–Ni composites—with the carbonaceous material coming from sewage sludge, have been developed and evaluated to remove indigo carmine from aqueous solution. The adsorbents were characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. Sorption kinetics and isotherms were determined and the adsorption behaviours analysed. All adsorbents here studied have exhibited good efficiency to remove indigo carmine from aqueous solution. Pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm models were successfully applied to the experimental data. Fe–Ni nanostructures adsorption capacity was 977.18 mg/g, followed by C/Fe–Ni 75/25% composite with 654.33 mg/g, and a lowest value, 486.41 mg/g, was obtained for C/Fe–Ni 95/5% composite. It can be suggested that the sorption mechanism of the dye is chemisorption on these heterogeneous novel, cheap and efficient functional materials. All materials provide the highest adsorption capacities in pH between 4 and 10. In addition, three sorption–desorption cycles using 30% H₂O₂ solution and distilled water were performed; sorption efficiencies of both composites (C/FeNi 75/25% and C/FeNi 95/5%) decreases in each cycle, but this behaviour is not observed for FeNi nanoscale oxides.     

Predicting long-term organic carbon dynamics in organically amended soils using the CQESTR model

Purpose  

The CQESTR model is a process-based C model recently developed to simulate soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and uses readily available or easily measurable input parameters. The current version of CQESTR (v. 2.0) has been validated successfully with a number of datasets from agricultural sites in North America but still needs to be tested in other geographic areas and soil types under diverse organic management systems.